Fastening device



y 1943 i D. A. BRENNAN 2,319,438 I FASTENING DEVICE Filed Dec. 16, 19404 v 5 V JNVENTU/Y} Patented May 18, 1943 FASTENING DEVICE Daniel A.Brennan, deceased, late of Chicago, 111.,

by Elmer L. Zwickel, executor, Chicago, 111., assignor to Acco Products,Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationDecember 16, 1940, Serial No. 370,372 In Canada March 19, 1929 5 Claims.

An object of the invention is to provide a 5 prong type paper fastenerwith novel means to securely retain the prongs in a bent over positionfor clamping after they have been passed through openings in the papersto be bound.-

Another object is to provide a paper fastener compressor with novellyconstructed slide latches.

Another object is to provide novelly constructed paper fasteners andcompressors therefor, which are inexpensive to construct, simple tooperate and highly eflicient in use.

The foregoing and such other objects of the invention, as will appearhereinafter as the description proceeds, will be more readily understoodfrom a perusal of the following specification, wherein reference ishadto the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a fastener embodying features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a fastener similar to that shown inFig. 1.

In the various disclosures herein, like numerals are used to identifycorresponding parts.

The device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 illustrates a fastener including acompressor 2 having spaced apertures 3 to receive prongs 4 formed on theends of a base I and which are bent down over the top face of thecompressor.

The prongs 4 are provided on their free ends with longitudinal slits 5.Preferably each slit 5 is gradually tapered inwardly and is enlarged atits outer end to define a gripping or embracing recess 6. The compressor2 is formed adjacent opposite ends respectively, with two longitudinallyaligned slots 1, one underlying each prong. Slidably securedrespectively, in the slots 1 are two headed-pins 8, preferably in theform of rivets. The slots 1 preferably are tapered at their inner ends,as at 9, to frictionally hold the pins 8 inwardly of the ends of theprongs. It is apparent that the recesses 5 are adapted to receive andyieldably embrace the pins 8 to hold the prongs 4 in bent positionagainst the com- Prongs 4 bent inwardly from apertures 3, extendalongside and partially over the outer ends of the slots. Two latches8a, preferably in the form of headed pins or rivets, are slidablysecured in the slots for movement outwardly into wedging engagementrespectively with the sides of the prongs. The heads of the latchesoverlie the prongs and serve to retain the latter against thecompressor. Lateral flexing of the prongs causes a binding force to beexerted against the latches 8a. A similar result may be obtained byplacing the apertures 3 at an incline relative to the longitudinal axisof the compressor and having slots 1 I longitudinally parallel.

Although exemplary forms of the invention have been illustrated in theaccompanying drawing and described in detail in the foregoingdescription it should be apparent that the invention may embody avariety of modifications consistent with the scope of the appendedclaims.

It is claimed: I

1. A fastener compressor comprising, in combination, an elongated plateapertured adjacent each end to receive spaced prongs on an associatedelement which are bent inwardly against the top face of said plate, saidplate having longitudinal slots one inwardly of each aperture, a latchslidable in each slot, and means on each latch each to overlie amarginal edge portion only of one of the prongs.

2. A fastener compressor comprising, in combination, an elongated plateapertured adjacent each end to receive spaced prongs on an associatedelement which are bent inwardly against the top face of said plate, saidplate having longitudinal slots one terminating short of each aperture,said slots being partially concealed by said bent prongs, and a latchslidable in each slot into frictional binding engagement with one of theprongs.

3. A fastener compressor comprising, in combination, an elongated plateapertured inwardly of each end, longitudinal beads on the margins ofsaid plate, said plate having longitudinal slots one extending inwardlyfrom adjacent each aperture, said slots being spaced from said beads andterminating short of the transverse center of said plate, a latchslidable in each slot, and means at at least one end of each slot tofrictionally retain the respective latch at said end.

4. In a paper fastener of the class described. the combination of a baseportion having prongs extending upwardly at each end thereof, acompressor having apertures through which the prongs are threaded andbent over the compressor, said compressor having substantiallylongitudinal slots one inwardly of each aperture, a headed latch movablein each slot each to overlie a marginal edge portion of a bent downprong to hold them against the compressor, said slots each beinginclined laterally inwardly as it approaches its associated aperturewhereby the respective prongs are forced laterally to create a sidewisespring bias and retain the latches in their outwardly adjusted position.

5. A fastener compressor comprising, in com- 10 bination, an elongatedplate apertured adjacent each end to receive spaced prongs on anassociated element which are bent inwardly against the top face of theplate, said plate having longitudinal slots one extending inwardly fromad- J'acent each aperture, said slots being inclined laterally outwardlyas they approach the medial portion of said plate, and a latch in eachslot movable outwardly toward the respective apertures to overlie amarginal edge portion and frictionally engage the complemental edge ofan associated prong, said engagement creating a sidewise spring bias inthe prong whereby the latter binds the latch in its latching position.

ELMER. L. ZWICKEL. Executor of the Estate of Daniel A. Brennan,

Deceased.

